Disabled Students Allowance

If a student has a long-term disability and as a result of that disability they are obliged to incur additional expenditure in connection with their studies, they may be eligible for extra allowances known as Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). The allowances can cover the cost of non-medical personal assistance, items of specialist equipment and additional general expenses.

Key facts

How to apply

It is the responsibility of the Disability Office (DO) at the Research Organisation (RO) to determine the eligibility of any student to apply for DSA. The DO is authorised by the Research Councils to decide whether an Assessment of Needs is required.

Research Councils will consider meeting only those costs that are incurred directly and solely as a consequence of taking up a studentship to pursue postgraduate study.

It is important that the DO, RO and student read the framework document which can be found on the UK Research and Innovation website before undertaking any expenditure. STFC will not be responsible for payment of any ineligible costs.

Payment of DSA

The RO should provide funding for the student from the training grant as required. The RO will be able to claim back eligible costs at the end of the academic year by submitting a completed DSA claim form to the Research Councils by 31 October. Claims should be submitted via the grant maintenance side of Je-S.

Once authorised by the RC, an additional funding stream will be created on the grant on which the student is supported and the RC will make payment to the university as part of the normal pay run process in the next available pay run.

Further information

Students should contact the Disability Adviser or named contact on disability matters at their Research Organisation for advice.